New York and the Polish Travelers Club

New York

Journey to New York (USA, North America).

Journey's year: 2010

Author: Jacek Palkiewicz

In February 2010 Jacek Palkiewicz was the guest of honor at the Polish Travelers Annual Club Gala in New York (chaired by Jurek Majcherczyk). It's the most prestigious Polish event in the United States. Jacek Palkiewicz for the occasion held several conferences, meetings and presentations in places such as the Brooklyn Public Library and The Pilsudski Institute of America in Manhattan.

The Pilsudski Institute of America is one of the most important Polish institutions outside of Poland. It has earned that designation by gathering an invaluable collection of documents on the modern history of Poland, and by its distinguished record of defending the historical truth about Poland against all adversaries: German occupiers in World War II (1939-1945) or communist rulers imposed by the Soviet Union (1945-1989).This mission was undertaken in 1943 by a group of Polish diplomats, politicians and veterans of the Polish Legions in World War I who were associates and former soldiers of Marshal Jozef Pilsudski, a symbol of Polish independence since 1914. Since Poland regained its sovereignty after the fall of Communism in 1989, the Institute has been active as a research center of the modern history of Poland and as a museum of Polish history and culture.

"From New York - says Palkiewicz - I have surprising memories. After a nightly snow storm, I saw whole city paralyzed. Schools, shopping centers, public service offices, closed. The 5th Avenue, one of the most expensive streets of the world, was almost deserted. New Yorkers and tourists, not used to this type of weather were taking pictures and kids were playing in snow. The Central Park was all covered in white dust of winter. It is hard to believe that this economical and military giant, and leader in innovative technology, can be defeated by simple snow storm."